Colt Automatic Pistol Info

Woody89 · December 21, 2018, 12:58 AM

Hey guys,
I recently just inherited this old Colt 32acp that has a serial number of 85XX. Can y’all get me any other info?
This gun is pretty sweet and straight shooting, just curious if there is any significance to it.
I’ve read these may/may not have been WW2 gun.
This one does not have the US Property printed on it, but does have a low serial number.
Any info would be great!
Thanks.
[IMG]

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Jim Watson · December 21, 2018, 09:31 AM

It was made in 1904. No WWII connection, I don't know of a WWI connection.

Here is some information on the type(s).
http://coltautos.com/1903ph.htm

tipoc · December 21, 2018, 10:44 AM

Use the serial number info here...

http://proofhouse.com/colt/

That's a Colt M1903 Pocket Hammerless in .32 acp

tipoc

ChasHam · December 21, 2018, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woody89

Hey guys,
I recently just inherited this old Colt 32acp that has a serial number of 8559.

Welcome aboard, New Guy.

For future reference, you might want to replace the last couple of s/n digits with XXX when posting in a public forum ;-)

Dufus · December 21, 2018, 04:22 PM

My Dad has one like that, except it is chambered in 380 ACP and is nickle plated. He bought his used in 1953.

It is a very accurate and reliable pistol. It is designated for night stand now.

reddog81 · December 21, 2018, 04:51 PM

If that's the original finish it is in pretty good condition for a 4 digit. It also looks like it still has the screwed in safety which is good because often got replaced over the years. The early ones also had a 4" barrel as opposed 3.75" barrel. It'll also have a barrel bushing which is different from the later models and means a slightly different taken down procedure. Cosmetic wise the early ones also had plunge milled slide serrations and it should say "Browning's Patent" on the slide instead of just "Patented". Those are the variations that I can think of off the top of my head, and there might be a couple more.

bn12gg · December 21, 2018, 06:25 PM

Slotted screw on the starboard side rear consistent with first issue. Nice piece. Great military and gangster history with the 1903/1908's.

.02. David.

Ibmikey · January 16, 2019, 05:53 AM

Post additional photos for a more detailed “guesstimate” of it’s value and history, from what I can see and if original finish a price of over$1000 would not be uncommon.

Lexspeed · January 16, 2019, 11:20 AM

Nice acquisition. I love those Colt 1903s. Yours has the bushing and appears to be a type one early model. My guess on the value would be $850, but I am no expert on these. I do own two type 3s that have a barrel lug w/o a bushing. One was made in 1912, the other in 1921. They are a joy to shoot and are very accurate for me. I even hand reload the 32acp for a hobby and to keep ammo costs down. Basic field stripping a 1903 is simple, but be warned that detailed stripping can be very challenging.

RickB · January 18, 2019, 07:23 PM

There are many minor variations, among the barrel length, presence or absence of removeable barrel bushing, grips, etc., as noted above.

Mine is a little later, and it has the slightly shorter, 3.75" barrel, but still with the separate bushing.

They are usually very accurate, if you are able to see the sights!

tallball · January 19, 2019, 09:30 AM

Mine is a later model and is a great shooter. My daughter enjoyed it when she was young because it was a "real" caliber (not a 22), but had almost no recoil.

If it had larger sights I could shoot it better, but it is a fun pistol and I take it to the range fairly often.

December 21, 2018, 12:58 AM	#1
Woody89 Junior Member Join Date: December 20, 2018 Posts: 1	Colt Automatic Pistol Info Hey guys, I recently just inherited this old Colt 32acp that has a serial number of 85XX. Can y’all get me any other info? This gun is pretty sweet and straight shooting, just curious if there is any significance to it. I’ve read these may/may not have been WW2 gun. This one does not have the US Property printed on it, but does have a low serial number. Any info would be great! Thanks. [IMG][/IMG] Last edited by Woody89; December 21, 2018 at 04:11 PM.

December 21, 2018, 10:44 AM	#3
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	Use the serial number info here... http://proofhouse.com/colt/ That's a Colt M1903 Pocket Hammerless in .32 acp tipoc __________________ 1. All guns are always loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger till you are ready to shoot. 4. Identify your target and know what is beyond it. Last edited by tipoc; December 21, 2018 at 10:51 AM.

January 18, 2019, 07:23 PM	#10
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,517	There are many minor variations, among the barrel length, presence or absence of removeable barrel bushing, grips, etc., as noted above. Mine is a little later, and it has the slightly shorter, 3.75" barrel, but still with the separate bushing. They are usually very accurate, if you are able to see the sights! __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

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December 21, 2018, 09:31 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,528	It was made in 1904. No WWII connection, I don't know of a WWI connection. Here is some information on the type(s). http://coltautos.com/1903ph.htm

December 21, 2018, 04:22 PM	#5
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	My Dad has one like that, except it is chambered in 380 ACP and is nickle plated. He bought his used in 1953. It is a very accurate and reliable pistol. It is designated for night stand now.

December 21, 2018, 04:51 PM	#6
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	If that's the original finish it is in pretty good condition for a 4 digit. It also looks like it still has the screwed in safety which is good because often got replaced over the years. The early ones also had a 4" barrel as opposed 3.75" barrel. It'll also have a barrel bushing which is different from the later models and means a slightly different taken down procedure. Cosmetic wise the early ones also had plunge milled slide serrations and it should say "Browning's Patent" on the slide instead of just "Patented". Those are the variations that I can think of off the top of my head, and there might be a couple more.

December 21, 2018, 06:25 PM	#7
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 470	Slotted screw on the starboard side rear consistent with first issue. Nice piece. Great military and gangster history with the 1903/1908's. .02. David.

January 16, 2019, 05:53 AM	#8
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Post additional photos for a more detailed “guesstimate” of it’s value and history, from what I can see and if original finish a price of over$1000 would not be uncommon.

January 16, 2019, 11:20 AM	#9
Lexspeed Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2015 Location: Southern IL Posts: 152	Nice acquisition. I love those Colt 1903s. Yours has the bushing and appears to be a type one early model. My guess on the value would be $850, but I am no expert on these. I do own two type 3s that have a barrel lug w/o a bushing. One was made in 1912, the other in 1921. They are a joy to shoot and are very accurate for me. I even hand reload the 32acp for a hobby and to keep ammo costs down. Basic field stripping a 1903 is simple, but be warned that detailed stripping can be very challenging.

January 19, 2019, 09:30 AM	#11
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	Mine is a later model and is a great shooter. My daughter enjoyed it when she was young because it was a "real" caliber (not a 22), but had almost no recoil. If it had larger sights I could shoot it better, but it is a fun pistol and I take it to the range fairly often.